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Unofficial referendums held have shown overwhelming support for independence

The Spanish government have previously blocked attempts to hold a referendum on the issue.

Catalan nationalists held an unofficial independence referendum in November 2014, 80% of those who voted backed the breakaway from Spain.

The pro-independence local assembly has vowed to press ahead with plans to have independence by mid-2017, putting pressure on leaders in Madrid to respond at a time of disarray in national politics.

Two inconclusive general elections have left Spain without a new national administration for more than eight months, which some attribute to arguments among parties over how best to answer Catalonia's calls for independence.